By Rick Mason May 22, 2013

Decked out in a fedora and vintage clothes, Pokey LaFarge might be taken for a youthful Bing Crosby. Crosby drifted popward, but LaFarge, who turns 30 this year, has embraced a broad swath of Americana to complement his jazz inclinations, creating a distinct persona that's definitely not of this century. Yet the charismatic LaFarge and his fleet-fingered South City Three generate such crackling energy live that you'd swear somebody's time traveling. Although LaFarge occasionally whips up covers of classic tunes like Fiddlin' Arthur Smith's "Chitlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County" and Bob Wills's "The Devil Ain't Lazy," most of his songs are originals written in the style and spirit of bygone eras. Stuff like "Drinkin' Whiskey Tonight" and "Hard Times Come and Go" also resonate in modern times.... More >>>